We present yet another excellent demonstration by Seigo Yamaguchi, 8th dan, filmed in a rather unusual venue. This performance was given at the Second Convention of the International Aikido Federation in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1978. Many top teachers of the era from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo were on hand.

His uke for much of the demonstration is Francis Takahashi Sensei, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for contributing this footage. Francis was a formidable opponent being about six feet two inches tall, and weighing in at around 220 pounds while being very agile.You’ll notice a difference in tempo when he attacks compared to the other ukes.

Yamaguchi Sensei was 54 years old at the time of this demonstration and in top form. This was also the period he had begun receiving frequent invitations to travel abroad. Soon, he would make regular visits to foreign destinations, especially France, where one of his top students, Christian Tissier, had become highly successful.

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